Three suspects arraigned in Detroit mob beating

Bruce E. Wimbush Jr. appears via video Tuesday in 36th District Court in Detroit. He was formally charged with attempted murder and assault in the beating of former Macomb County resident Steven Utash.
DAVID DALTON--The Macomb daily

Three Detroit males were formally charged Tuesday in the vicious mob beating of a 54-year-old Clinton Township man in Detroit.

Bruce E. Wimbush Jr., 17, was arraigned in the morning, and James Wonzey Safford, 30, and James Deontae Davis, 24, were arraigned in the afternoon in front of Magistrate Millicent Sherman of 36th District Court in Detroit.

Each was charged with attempted murder, punishable by up to life in prison, and assault with intent to do bodily harm, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

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A bond of $500,000 cash or surety was set for each of the men, who are scheduled to face an April 21 preliminary examination.

The trio were the first to be charged for their roles in the beating of Steven Utash, who was attacked by several individuals after he stopped to check on a 10-year-old boy whom he had struck with his truck on Morang Street. Utash was driving from his job as a tree trimmer. Utash is in critical condition and a medically induced coma at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit.

“The Detroit Police Department is making excellent progress with the case,” Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in press release.

A fourth suspect, a 16-year-old juvenile, has not been charged and remains in the Wayne County Detection Center, scheduled to face a hearing Saturday, Worthy said. Officials will determine whether to try him as an adult, she said.

Wimbush’s attorney, Randall Upshaw, called his client’s bond “excessive,” considering that Wimbush has no prior record and didn’t flee after he was first questioned by police before he arrested.

“She’s not aware of all the facts of the case,” Upshaw said of the magistrate afterward.

He noted that his client did not use a weapon.

“My client played some minor role,” he told Sherman in court, adding later, “By the time the crime got serious he was no longer there.

“We’re all remorseful.”

Wimbush’s parents attended the hearing and appeared upset. His father told a radio station, “We’re disappointed for the (Utash) family.”

Wimbush is a junior at East English Preparatory Academy, Upshaw said.

None of Utash’s family attended the hearings. A family member said Monday they were advised not to attend.

Safford and Davis’ families did not attend the afternoon hearing.

Safford has fourth-habitual status tied to his charges, Millicent said. That means if convicted his maximum penalties will be higher than standard. He also has four outstanding bonds of $4,100 for prior, unrelated cases.

Utash has three adult children and three grandchildren.

An online fundraising effort for Utash’s medical expenses has raised more than $138,000 from more than 3,300 donations.

An fundraiser also is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at Gonzo Art Studio in Roseville. Utash lived in Roseville for more than 20 years.